Statues of Gandhi, Dying Erring damaged in Arunachal

Unidentified miscreants damaged the statues of Mahatma Gandhi, Dying Ering, architect of modern Arunachal and of some local deities at the gate of a school at Pasighat, district headquarters town of East Siang district, official sources said on Monday.

The miscreants damaged the statues of Mahatma Gandhi, Dying Ering and of some local deities at the gate of IGJ Higher Secondary school at Pasighat on Saturday night, the sources said.

Terming the incident as national shame, Education Minister Bosiram Siram directed police and civil administration officials to act promptly with an iron hand to apprehend and award exemplary punishments, so none dares to repeat in future, sources said.

Lok Sabha member Ninong Ering, son of Dying Ering, condemned the act and wanted the culprits to be booked under the National Security Act, as they have dishonoured the father of the nation.

"The entire civil society should help the police and the administration by providing clues for arresting these criminals, who have disrepute to the state, known for its patriotic fervour," he said in a statement on Monday.

"Nobody will be spared and no stone will be left unturned to bring the antisocial elements to book for their dastardly act," East Siang deputy commissioner Talem Tapok said, adding an FIR has been lodged and a magisterial probe ordered.